Lavera Trend Sensitiv Lipsticks Receive Highest Ranking by ÖEKO-TEST--Europe's Consumer Reports--in August 2009
After testing 306 shades from all 21 lipstick brands, Oeko-Test Magazine released a study in August 2009 that gave many lipstick manufacturers the "red card" (not good) for containing ingredients that could have long-term health effects.
All 13 Lavera Lipstick shades were awarded the highest ranking possible for not containing harmful ingredients found in other lipstick brands.
German-based Lavera Naturkosmetik, a leader in "truly natural" beauty and skincare products recently received a "Very Good" ranking from ÖEKO-TEST--the Consumer Reports of Europe--for its safe ingredients.
ÖEKO-TEST released a study of 21 different brands of lipsticks sold in department and drug stores to analyze their ingredients and to identify problematic or possibly hazardous ingredients. As part of the study, ÖEKO-TEST purchased a total of 306 shades from all brands and gave many lipstick manufacturers the "red card" (not good) for containing ingredients that could have long-term health effects.
As part of this study, ÖEKO-TEST found that the winners of this test were all certified natural cosmetic brands. Among them were 13 shades from Lavera Trend Sensitiv line of lipsticks, all of which all received "very good", the top award possible, for not containing any of the ingredients listed below:-
anilin- halogen-organic color pigments - tartrazin- aromatic substances, which might cause allergies - other aromatic substances - polycyclic musk compounds- possibly hazardous UV filters- PE/PEG derivatives- paraffins, petroleum products, silicones
Öeko-Test Magazine was started by a few journalists in 1985. It evaluates and ranks various consumer products for its effect on health & environment, helping stores and manufacturers to improve their products. It is similar to Consumer Reports in the US, but with a much stronger emphasis on consumer safety and health.
Lavera products have been awarded top marks over 520 times since June, 1992. Since then, more than 320 Lavera products have received "Very Good" reviews.
In February 2008, Lavera's Self-Tanner was the only natural cosmetic product to receive a "Very Good" rating from the magazine. Öeko-Test Magazine rated Lavera as the #1 as the Greenest Beauty Brand ahead of 32 other companies (ahead of Dr. Hauschka, Weleda, Estee Lauder and L'Oreal), after testing over 1800 products!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
Vitamin C - Vital role in repairing DNA damage
Vitamin C could have a vital role to play in repairing DNA damage, scientists have discovered.
Researchers from the University of Leicester and Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology in Portugal have found that the vitamin can improve wound healing and even work deeper in the skin to repair the damage done by free radicals to the cell’s DNA.
The team, comprising Tiago Duarte, Marcus S Cooke and G. Don Jones, tested a vitamin C derivative – ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (AA2P) – to analyse the effectiveness of sustained exposure on human dermal fibroblasts. They then investigated which genes are activated by the vitamin C in the cells, which were found to be those responsible for skin regeneration.
“The results demonstrated that vitamin C may improve wound healing by stimulating quiescent fibroblasts to divide and by promoting their migration to the wounded area,” explains Tiago Duarte, who was previously at the University of Leicester and is now at the Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology in Portugal. “Vitamin C could also protect the skin by increasing the capacity of fibrolasts to repair potentially mutagenic DNA lesions.”
Dr Marcus S Cooke, who is a senior lecturer in the department of cancer studies and department of genetics at the University of Leicester, believes these findings could have important implications for skincare companies, but advises against companies using these findings to make claims about their products.“It is perhaps worth noting that the medium we culture cells in can be thought of as analogous to plasma. The cells are bathed in a vitamin-containing liquid. The cells ‘decide’ how much vitamin C they need and can take it up to achieve a concentration in the cell greater than outside the cell. I think it is conceivable that these results could be achieved outside the lab but it would take a scientific study to prove this.”
by Laura McCreddie
Researchers from the University of Leicester and Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology in Portugal have found that the vitamin can improve wound healing and even work deeper in the skin to repair the damage done by free radicals to the cell’s DNA.
The team, comprising Tiago Duarte, Marcus S Cooke and G. Don Jones, tested a vitamin C derivative – ascorbic acid 2-phosphate (AA2P) – to analyse the effectiveness of sustained exposure on human dermal fibroblasts. They then investigated which genes are activated by the vitamin C in the cells, which were found to be those responsible for skin regeneration.
“The results demonstrated that vitamin C may improve wound healing by stimulating quiescent fibroblasts to divide and by promoting their migration to the wounded area,” explains Tiago Duarte, who was previously at the University of Leicester and is now at the Institute for Molecular and Cellular Biology in Portugal. “Vitamin C could also protect the skin by increasing the capacity of fibrolasts to repair potentially mutagenic DNA lesions.”
Dr Marcus S Cooke, who is a senior lecturer in the department of cancer studies and department of genetics at the University of Leicester, believes these findings could have important implications for skincare companies, but advises against companies using these findings to make claims about their products.“It is perhaps worth noting that the medium we culture cells in can be thought of as analogous to plasma. The cells are bathed in a vitamin-containing liquid. The cells ‘decide’ how much vitamin C they need and can take it up to achieve a concentration in the cell greater than outside the cell. I think it is conceivable that these results could be achieved outside the lab but it would take a scientific study to prove this.”
by Laura McCreddie
Thursday, September 10, 2009
Organic Beauty - by Jo Wood Organics
Indulge in Jo Wood's sophisticated organic fragrance and oils collection. The range contains 90% and above organic ingredients. This is the ultimate gift range with two decadent and sophisticated organic fragrances, Amka & Usiku. The Eau de Toilettes are certified organic by ECOCERT.
Jo’s Everyday range is designed to be used and enjoyed ‘Everyday’. The range includes your everyday essentials, Cleansing Body Mousse, Exfoliating Salt Scrub and Nourishing Body Cream in two new fragrances, Tula and Langa. Each product has been designed to richly nourish, soften and soothe the skin whilst protecting against damage from free radicals and other environmental hazards. The Everyday range is certified organic by ECOCERT.
For more info and to buy these fab products visit our Jo Wood Organics page.
Jo’s Everyday range is designed to be used and enjoyed ‘Everyday’. The range includes your everyday essentials, Cleansing Body Mousse, Exfoliating Salt Scrub and Nourishing Body Cream in two new fragrances, Tula and Langa. Each product has been designed to richly nourish, soften and soothe the skin whilst protecting against damage from free radicals and other environmental hazards. The Everyday range is certified organic by ECOCERT.
For more info and to buy these fab products visit our Jo Wood Organics page.
Monday, September 07, 2009
Thursday, September 03, 2009
Corporate Gifts Available From Lucy Rose
Organic & Natural Corporate Gifts
We now offer many bespoke corporate gift packages to suit any occassion and whatever the budget. We can put together the corporate gifts for you or you can customise the gifts by choosing from our wide range of products and presentation boxes.
All our products are organic and natural, free from harsh chemicals and cruelty free.
Here are some suggestions for your corporate gifts:
Fair Trade Beauty Box/Hamper
Made in England Beauty Box
Relax & Unwind Gift Set
De-stress & Relax Head Massager
Xmas Gift Set
Pamper Yourself Set
'No More Hangover Kit'
For more info visit our corporate gift page.
We now offer many bespoke corporate gift packages to suit any occassion and whatever the budget. We can put together the corporate gifts for you or you can customise the gifts by choosing from our wide range of products and presentation boxes.
All our products are organic and natural, free from harsh chemicals and cruelty free.
Here are some suggestions for your corporate gifts:
Fair Trade Beauty Box/Hamper
Made in England Beauty Box
Relax & Unwind Gift Set
De-stress & Relax Head Massager
Xmas Gift Set
Pamper Yourself Set
'No More Hangover Kit'
For more info visit our corporate gift page.
Wednesday, September 02, 2009
Best Back To School Buy's
Our very own beauty guru's best back to school essentials.
Rosemary & Peppermint Detangler - by John Masters
Sarah Says: Superb for brushing your childs hair without the hassle of knots.
Children's Lavender Conditioner - by Green People
Sarah Says: Very effective when used in conjuction with your head lice comb.
Grapefruit & Kiwi Shower Gel - by Essentially Yours
Sarah Says: Fantastic 'wake up' shower gel to energise yourself or your teenagers in the morning.
Rosemary & Peppermint Detangler - by John Masters
Sarah Says: Superb for brushing your childs hair without the hassle of knots.
Children's Lavender Conditioner - by Green People
Sarah Says: Very effective when used in conjuction with your head lice comb.
Grapefruit & Kiwi Shower Gel - by Essentially Yours
Sarah Says: Fantastic 'wake up' shower gel to energise yourself or your teenagers in the morning.
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Expensive eye creams slammed by Which?
Eye creams have again been slammed in a study conducted by Which? Magazine.
The test set out to determine if 13 eye products, ranging from a £3.21 Simple moisturiser used as a control to mass market and luxury brands, such as StriVectin-SD Eye-Cream (£47 for 40ml) to Clarins Advanced Extra-Firming Eye Contour Cream (£31.33 for 20ml) really worked on lines.
Testers were aged 35 to 65, and each cream was tested on between nine and 11 people during a six-week period.High-definition photographs were taken in laboratory conditions before use, an hour afterwards and six weeks later.
Five expert panellists evaluated the photographs and judged if there had been any visible improvement in wrinkle depth or length. Neither testers nor panellists knew which cream was being used.While some creams did convince their testers that the skin was softer and smoother, generally the report found that none of the creams worked on all the testers, and that often their comments did not tally with the panel’s findings. On the whole, the panel judged that Simple moisturiser worked just as well as more expensive creams, including the most expensive StriVectin offer.
Tracy Tamaris, Environ’s UK and Ireland training director said:”It doesn’t matter how much an eye cream costs, what is important is the formulation. There are ingredients with a sound scientific basis that can show dramatic improvements in skin, such as vitamin A, pentapeptides and growth factors."One or some of these may be included in both cheap and expensive eye creams but not necessarily in effective levels or combinations.
If the focus of ingredients is on simple hydration to smooth out wrinkles, then results will appear good but these are temporary. Products contain certain ingredients in effective concentrations could show better long term effects that reduce wrinkles and stimulate skin thickening with consistent use over time.”Dr Tamara Griffiths of the British Skin Foundation says the best laboratory evidence of deeper skin repair of coarser wrinkles has been associated with longer-term use of treatments containing retinoids, or vitamin A derivatives. Although they do say this is an expensive option and can irritate skin, and don’t necessarily offer the results “we are led to believe”.She says that consumers need to have realistic expectations, even with prescription products.
Philippa Canty, marketing manager for Thalgo, Terrake and Ella Bache, denies the claims that eye creams are style over substance. “When it comes to eye creams, as with other skincare products, you get what you pay for. Although lower-priced eye creams cited by Which? may claim to contain the same ingredients, this doesn't mean they contain the optimum concentration of those ingredients. What you're paying for with a higher priced eye cream from a brand like Thalgo, for example, is quality ingredients, a greater concentration of actives, and consequently better results.
Ultimately the consumer is concerned with results, especially if they are looking for an eye cream with anti-ageing benefits. There also tends to be less chance of irritation for the sensitive eye area with a higher-quality (and therefore higher priced) product.”Dr Patrick Bowler, cosmetic doctor and medical director of Court House Clinics disagrees: “Low-cost moisturisers will have an effect on wrinkles but only last hours. As soon as consumers stop using the product the wrinkles reappear. Retinoid creams and other cosmeceutical products induce long-term changes in the skin, not permanent of course, but last months not hours. Retinoids have a huge amount of data showing they work. Of course I agree that expectations have to be realistic…creams can only produce mild effects…don’t expect a cream facelift!”
19 Aug 2009, Jenni Middleton
Sarah Says: Really, we would all be better of with some products much more affordable and naturally effective - Take a look at some of our most popular organic eye care products.
The test set out to determine if 13 eye products, ranging from a £3.21 Simple moisturiser used as a control to mass market and luxury brands, such as StriVectin-SD Eye-Cream (£47 for 40ml) to Clarins Advanced Extra-Firming Eye Contour Cream (£31.33 for 20ml) really worked on lines.
Testers were aged 35 to 65, and each cream was tested on between nine and 11 people during a six-week period.High-definition photographs were taken in laboratory conditions before use, an hour afterwards and six weeks later.
Five expert panellists evaluated the photographs and judged if there had been any visible improvement in wrinkle depth or length. Neither testers nor panellists knew which cream was being used.While some creams did convince their testers that the skin was softer and smoother, generally the report found that none of the creams worked on all the testers, and that often their comments did not tally with the panel’s findings. On the whole, the panel judged that Simple moisturiser worked just as well as more expensive creams, including the most expensive StriVectin offer.
Tracy Tamaris, Environ’s UK and Ireland training director said:”It doesn’t matter how much an eye cream costs, what is important is the formulation. There are ingredients with a sound scientific basis that can show dramatic improvements in skin, such as vitamin A, pentapeptides and growth factors."One or some of these may be included in both cheap and expensive eye creams but not necessarily in effective levels or combinations.
If the focus of ingredients is on simple hydration to smooth out wrinkles, then results will appear good but these are temporary. Products contain certain ingredients in effective concentrations could show better long term effects that reduce wrinkles and stimulate skin thickening with consistent use over time.”Dr Tamara Griffiths of the British Skin Foundation says the best laboratory evidence of deeper skin repair of coarser wrinkles has been associated with longer-term use of treatments containing retinoids, or vitamin A derivatives. Although they do say this is an expensive option and can irritate skin, and don’t necessarily offer the results “we are led to believe”.She says that consumers need to have realistic expectations, even with prescription products.
Philippa Canty, marketing manager for Thalgo, Terrake and Ella Bache, denies the claims that eye creams are style over substance. “When it comes to eye creams, as with other skincare products, you get what you pay for. Although lower-priced eye creams cited by Which? may claim to contain the same ingredients, this doesn't mean they contain the optimum concentration of those ingredients. What you're paying for with a higher priced eye cream from a brand like Thalgo, for example, is quality ingredients, a greater concentration of actives, and consequently better results.
Ultimately the consumer is concerned with results, especially if they are looking for an eye cream with anti-ageing benefits. There also tends to be less chance of irritation for the sensitive eye area with a higher-quality (and therefore higher priced) product.”Dr Patrick Bowler, cosmetic doctor and medical director of Court House Clinics disagrees: “Low-cost moisturisers will have an effect on wrinkles but only last hours. As soon as consumers stop using the product the wrinkles reappear. Retinoid creams and other cosmeceutical products induce long-term changes in the skin, not permanent of course, but last months not hours. Retinoids have a huge amount of data showing they work. Of course I agree that expectations have to be realistic…creams can only produce mild effects…don’t expect a cream facelift!”
19 Aug 2009, Jenni Middleton
Sarah Says: Really, we would all be better of with some products much more affordable and naturally effective - Take a look at some of our most popular organic eye care products.
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